Coffin assault duo denied bail to appeal

The two Mpumalanga men convicted of forcing a black man into a coffin have been denied bail to appeal their convictions.

Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Jackson were found guilty of assault and attempted murder in August and sentenced to 11 and 14 years imprisonment respectively.

Advocate Wayne Gibbs on Thursday morning tried to convince the court that because his client, Oosthuizen, adhered to his bail conditions before being sentenced, he is not a flight risk.

He told the High Court sitting in Middelburg that a different court would come to a different outcome to the guilty verdict against his client three months ago because Oosthuizen and Jackson did not killed anyone.

Advocate Org Basson, who is representing Jackson, said the attempted murder conviction against his client was heavy-handed and that common assault was more fitting.

The National Prosecuting Authority argued against the two men being granted bail.